Role of U.S. Contractors Grows as Iraq Fights Insurgents

WASHINGTON—Hundreds of contractors working for America's biggest defense companies are taking on a broader role in helping Iraq's military learn to use new weapons in a growing battle against Islamist insurgents.

Over the next few months, the U.S. government is expected to begin sending more than $6 billion in military equipment to Iraq. The latest deal includes 24 Apache attack helicopters made by Boeing Co. and nearly 500 Hellfire...

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U.S. Contractors Still Active in Iraq

The U.S. military is no longer on the front lines in Iraq, but thousands of contractors working for America's biggest defense companies are still there as the Middle East nation struggles to retake control of the Sunni heartland. Photo: Getty.